House Bill 5436, aimed at regulating the dismantling of junk vehicles, took center stage during the Texas Senate Committee on Transportation meeting on May 21, 2025. The bill, which classifies violations as misdemeanor or state felony offenses, has garnered support from the Texas Independent Auto Dealers Association, marking a significant shift from their previous opposition to similar legislation.

Earl Cook, the association's Director of Regulatory Affairs, highlighted two critical safeguards included in the bill. First, vehicles must not have been registered for at least seven years before they can be dismantled, ensuring that only truly unusable cars are affected. This provision aims to prevent situations where owners find their vehicles dismantled unexpectedly. Second, the bill mandates that owners and lienholders receive notice before any dismantling occurs, allowing them time to retrieve their vehicles at no cost.

The committee members expressed interest in the scale of the issue, with estimates suggesting that thousands of vehicles could be impacted. Cook noted that just three salvage yards in Texas dismantle around 600 vehicles weekly, indicating a significant volume of junk cars statewide.

In addition to House Bill 5436, the committee discussed House Bill 2560, which proposes an "Adopt a County Road" program. This initiative would allow individuals or organizations to fund repairs and maintenance for county roads, with recognition provided for their contributions. The bill aims to enhance local infrastructure while engaging community support.

Both bills were reported favorably by the committee, with further discussions anticipated in upcoming sessions. The meeting concluded with plans for another committee hearing scheduled for Friday morning, where additional transportation-related matters will be addressed.